Laminated identity card and a method for the manufacture thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a laminated identity card, comprising a photographic emulsion layer intended for identity information which is adhered on both sides to a covering layer and to a method for the manufacture of this laminated identity card, comprising the steps for: a) the provision of a photographic emulsion layer intended for identity information; b) the adhesion of a first covering layer to the one surface of the photographic emulsion layer; and c) the adhesion of a second covering layer to the other surface of the photographic emulsion layer.

The present invention relates to a laminated identity card, inparticular intended for inclusion in a passport, and a method for themanufacture of such a laminated identity card.

A known laminated identity card is shown in FIG. 1. The identity card 1consists of a top covering layer 2 which is fixed using an adhesivelayer 3 to a photographic emulsion layer 4 provided with identityinformation and arranged on a bearing layer 5. The other, bottomcovering layer 6 is fixed to the bearing layer 5 using an adhesive layer7. In other words, the top covering layer 2 is adhered to the emulsionlayer 4 and the bottom covering layer 6 is adhered to the bearing layer5. A drawback of this known identity card 1 is that there is adifference in adhesive strength between the adhesion of the top coveringlayer of the emulsion layer and that of the bottom covering layer on thebearing layer, with the result that the different layers can be easilyseparated from each other without damage. By means of corona treatmentor by flame treatment a reduction of the difference in adhesive strengthcan be achieved in the case of cold delamination because damage thenoccurs in the photographic emulsion layer. In the case of hotdelamination there is hardly any improvement.

The invention has for its object to improve the known laminated identitycard in the sense that under all circumstances when delamination takesplace damage to the photographic emulsion layer occurs, as a result ofwhich this card is notably more difficult to falsify. This is achievedaccording to the invention in that the laminated identity card accordingto the invention comprises an emulsion layer intended for identityinformation which is adhered on both sides to a covering layer.

The invention is based on the insight that, as a result of omitting thebearing layer for the photographic emulsion layer, both outer coveringlayers are adhered to the photographic emulsion layer with substantiallythe same adhesive strength, with the result that on delamination thephotographic emulsion layer remains partly adhered to the top coveringlayer and partly to the bottom covering layer end is consequentlyirreparably damaged. In addition the cohesion in the photographicemulsion layer must thereby be smaller than the adhesion between each ofthe adhesive layers and the photographic emulsion layer. This identitycard according to the invention is thus optimally protected againstfalsification.

An additional advantage is that through the absence of the bearing layerthe stiffness and strength of the laminated identity card is reducedwhich results in it becoming more flexible and less damage being causedas a consequence of bending or folding.

The invention further relates to a method for the manufacture of alaminated identity card according to the invention, which methodcomprises the steps for

a) the provision of a photographic emulsion layer intended for identityinformation;

b) the adhesion of a first covering layer to the one surface of thephotographic emulsion layer; and

c) the adhesion of a second covering layer to the other surface of thephotographic emulsion layer.

In principle it is possible for the photographic emulsion layer to bearranged on the bottom covering layer which then functions temporarilyas bearing layer. However it is advantageous to use photographicmaterial that in principle is available on the market so that, afterapplying the top covering layer on the photographic emulsion layer, thebearing layer must first be removed prior to application of the bottomcovering layer. The removal of the bearing layer can be carried outeasily if use is made of photographic paper with an emulsion easilyseparable from the bearer (paper or plastic foil).

Mentioned and other features of the laminated identity card and itsmethod of manufacture are described in the description followinghereafter of a non-limitative embodiment, while reference is made to theannexed drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a known identity card;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of an identity card according tothe invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the identity card according to theinvention; and

FIG. 4 shows schematically an apparatus for the manufacture of theidentity card according to the invention.

The identity card 10 according to the invention consists of aphotographic emulsion layer 13 provided with identity information 11 and12, which layer is adhered through the interpositioning of adhesivelayers 14 and 15 to the top covering layer 16 and the bottom coveringlayer 17 respectively (FIG. 3). By adhesive layer is understood a layerof adhesive agent whereof the adhesion for the photographic emulsionlayer is greater than the cohesion in the photographic emulsion layer.

The top covering layer 16 is for example manufactured from a transparentpolyester which is provided on one side with an adhesive layer 14consisting of polythene.

The bottom covering layer 17 of a white opaque polyester can for thepurpose of contrast be provided with a pattern (not shown) and islikewise provided on one side with a polyethylene adhesive layer 15.

The photographic emulsion layer comprises personal information 11photographically formed therein and a pass photo 12 which are bothpartly covered in the known manner by a separate watermark seal 18.

FIG. 4 shows a schematically illustrated apparatus 19 for themanufacture of the identity cards 10 according to the invention.

The apparatus 19 comprises a feed station 20 in which is arranged a roll21 of successive photographic emulsion layers 13 applied to a commonbearing layer.

In a first lamination station 23 the top covering layer 16 is applied onthe photographic emulsion layers 13 using a pair of heated rollers 24(lamination temperature c. 130° C.).

After cooling of the laminate of the laminate 25 using a cooling unit 26the bearing layer 22 is removed from the photographic emulsion layers 13in a delamination station 27 and taken up on a roll 28.

In a second lamination station the bottom covering layer 17 is thenapplied against the photographic emulsion layers 13 using a pair ofheated rollers 30. Finally, the formed laminate 31 is cooled using acooling unit 32.

The thus formed path of successive laminated identity cards according tothe invention with mutually differing identity information in thephotographic emulsion layer can be taken up on a roll or cut to size andstacked using a cutting unit 33. The formed identity cards 10 accordingto the invention can subsequently be processed into a passport book.

It is possible within the scope of the invention to use a photographicemulsion which is directly applied with an adhesive layer to a bearingfoil which also functions as covering layer. For this bearing foil andits adhesive layer the same requirements apply as for the coveringlayer.

As photographic material use can be made for instance of Scotch 575 from3M, which photographic material comprises an opaque photographicemulsion which is easily separable from its bearer after exposure andprinting.

I claim:
 1. A laminated identity card, comprising a photographicemulsion layer intended for identity information;a top covering layeradhered to said photographic emulsion layer; a bottom covering layeradhered to said photographic emulsion layer; and an adhesive layerpositioned between at least one of said top covering layer and saidbottom covering layer, wherein said adhesive layer is an adhesive agentwhereof the adhesion for said photographic emulsion layer is alwaysgreater than the cohesion in the photographic emulsion layer. 2.Identity card as claimed in claim 1, in which the photographic emulsionlayer is adhered via said adhesive layer to a top transparent coveringlayer.
 3. Identity card as claimed in claim 1, in which the bottomcovering layer is of a colour contrasting with the emulsion layer. 4.Identity card as claimed in claim 1, in which the covering layers aremanufactured from polyester.
 5. Identify card as claimed in claim 2, inwhich the adhesive layer is manufactured from polyethylene.
 6. A methodfor the manufacture of a laminated identity card, comprising the stepsof:a) providing a photographic emulsion layer intended for identityinformation; b) providing an adhesive layer wherein said adhesive layeris an adhesive agent whereof the adhesion for said photographic emulsionlayer is always greater than the cohesion in the photographic emulsionlayer; c) adhering a first covering layer to one surface of saidphotographic emulsion layer; and d) adhering a second covering layer toanother surface of said photographic emulsion layer.
 7. Method asclaimed in claim 6, wherein in step a) the photographic emulsion layeris provided on a bearing layer and wherein after step b) and prior tostep c) said bearing layer is removed.
 8. Method as claimed in claim 6,in which each covering layer is made from polyester.
 9. Method asclaimed in claim 7, in which the adhesive layers are manufactured frompolyethylene.
 10. Method as claimed in claim 7, in which the coveringlayers are adhered to the photographic emulsion layer by hot lamination.